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Côtes de Ciel 2012 Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Merlot, Red Mountain, $39

By on September 27, 2015

Côtes de Ciel-2012-Ciel du Cheval Vineyard Merlot BottleCuttings from historic Inglenook in Napa as well as French-trademarked ENTAV-INRA 348 and ENTA-INRA 181 clones seem well-suited for Washington’s remarkable Red Mountain, and Richard Holmes’ winemaking offers a Merlot with a sense of hedonism. Heady aromas of black cherry with exotic notes of vanilla extract, cardamom and anise. Black cherry and black currant jam flavors make for a bold entry that’s framed by sandy tannins, backed by black licorice and a pinch of white pepper. The family ships to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Florida, Minnesota and Washington D.C.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 343 cases

Alcohol: 15.6%

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Articles credited to Great Northwest Wine are authored by Eric Degerman and other contributors. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.

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